I bought some 5" soft swimbaits off *** because they looked so nice, but I don't know anything about it. I heard a lot about them, but it seems like there isn't much threads.

What hook size do I use? How to fish them and what type of structure?

Anything on them is good because I'm pretty clueless.

The bigger the hook, the better for these.

For a 5inch, you'll probably need a 5/0 EWG, minimum.  But a 6/0 or 7/0 may not be out of the question.  I also recommend you get some weighted hooks or some pinch on weights.

There are lots of good hooks out there for these style of baits.

Mustad, Lake Fork Tackle, Davis Baits, etc. have great weighted hooks with either a screw or peg that goes into the nose of the bait.

For 5" sized baits, I would look at 6/0 or 7/0 hooks.  

Brad

Just about everyone makes a "swimbait hook" now. I find the screw on hooks very helpful though. Obviously, more of the hook is on the outside of the bait but, for me, they're easier to rig and they swim straighter.

I first started using a 5/0 Gamakatsu Deep Throat Wide Gap hook with my swimbaits and I'd add a split shot to the hook. I caught a few bass with this set up but found the split shot would works its way loose and would throw the swimming action off a bit. I've switched up to Reaction Strike weighted hooks now in the 6/0 size. Like FishCat said, these are much easier to rig and they swim straighter too!

I use 5/0 ewg hooks on 4 1/2" baits and 6/0 on 5" with 1/8 rubbercore sinkers with rubber removed. BPS makes crimp on weights but I havent tried them yet. Screw in hooks tend to ruin the bait and the baits ain't cheap.

the reaction strike hooks are pretty good, as are the Critterbait hooks. you can get both at ***.

I just bought a 3-pack of Lucky Strikes at Wal-Mart for $3 that came with 2 hooks...They are 5/0 and are about the right size for the bait...they're 4" I think...I wouldn't recommend a smaller hook after rigging one to see how it faired

Swim x - Makes a Swimbait hook ,that have screw on it . It's the best I've found. I Love throw these things. I have done as well in the the rivers, but throw a 4.5 Shadilious or 3.5 and I catch them all day. Great baits.

The advice regarding the hooks is all good. They also sell something called "Hitchhikers" on E-Bay and at BPS. They are little screws that clip onto any hook to hold your bait. Eagle Claw makes a nice swimbait hook, but it has a "spear" typr baitholder that doesn't work. I clip these off and put the hitch hiker on and bamm!

The good thing about this type of bait is if rigged properly, the are 95% weedless, so you can throw them anywhere. I have heard they are great to throw at bedded fish as well, but we won't find out until next spring!!!!

ajr

thanks for all the advice guys...